I know I am REALLY REALLY late in coming to this thread...but I'll just put in my own 0.02. I have never been influenced by or bothered by fashion mags, because a) fashion doesn't interest me and b) I have never thought of the images in there as being reality...same as movies.
But what I DID come from was the ballet world....I was in pre-professional dance training throughout my teens and if ever there was a pressure packed environment in which you are never thin enough or good enough, that is it. In ballet, you look at yourself not out of vanity, but to ensure corrections are being made. Of course, ballet made me a fit person, and gave me good posture etc, but it has left me with a lifelong hatred of my body, especially my thighs (genetics).
This, combined with being COMPLETELY ignored in high school (no one insulted me, but I certainly never had a boyfriend, or even a date for that matter - Prom? What's that?) led to very low self esteem. I also got very mixed messages from my mother, who told me that I was too fat (ie ballet) and was constantly monitoring my diet, yet on the other hand she told me I was beautiful (face)...but then again, moms are supposed to say stuff like that, so I never believed it. After all, if I was beautiful, the boys would be asking me out, right???
Now I am belly dancing with Elevation, the U2 tribute band. Let me tell you, it took all my nerve to do that, and I did it because it is a fantasy come true. Due to the compliments I've been getting (especially from the male populace), it has boosted my self esteem and started a cycle of positive thinking, whereby for the first time I've started to think of myself as more attractive, maybe even *gasp* sensual.....
Anyway, it's hard to be confident when you don't feel that way, but it certainly helps perpetuate a good feeling about yourelf, which certainly does get noticed.
That's all I had to say!